Chess is a bit like doing magic. The pieces come alive and you're the magician. You get to move them where you like, within the rules of the game.

Cool, huh? So let me take you back to the very beginning and show you how it's done... Discover why the world's first Black Grandmaster Maurice Ashley thinks that chess is one of the best skills in life. Follow him on a journey from the Bronx to a world stage where he has taught thousands of young people the life philosophies of the game.

Packed with step-by-step skills and oozing with passion, these little handbooks are for any young reader who loves life. This practical biographical handbook for readers 6+ offers:-A child-friendly, joy-filled introduction to the game of chess-Inspirational words and advice from the first Black Grandmaster, Maurice Ashley-Step-by-step instructions on how to play the game of chess-Explanatory pictures of basic and advanced chess skillsWith fun-filled, engaging illustrations from Denis Angelov, and in the words of Maurice Ashley, this is the perfect book to inspire children to find their life's passion. This book is in an exciting new series that celebrates the magic of life skills that bring joy, and the heroes who made them their passion.

More in the SeriesThe Life-changing Magic of Chess is part of the Life-changing Magic series, beginner's guides to skills that bring joy, written by real-life heroes who made them their passion. Complete the series with Olympic medalist Sky Brown in The Life-changing Magic of Skateboarding, world famous musician Nandi Bushell in The Life-changing Magic of Baking, and social media sensation baker Joy Wilson in The Life-changing Magic of Baking.